L.A. in instagrams + a giveaway.

clockwise, left to right: designlovefest; shereen vintage, via ohjoy; lax, via laurejoliet; los feliz, via sfgirlbybay; perch, via denisebovee; thefighouse; jessechamberlin; citysage; and center, ban.do party house, via jen gotch.

instagram has got to be one of the happiest apps ever invented. i love looking at life in instagrams. i mean, how cool is it to wake up with a cup of coffee and take a tour around the world while you slowly get inspired for the day? i love following instagrammers from all over and having a glimpse into how they’re starting their days, seeing how the ‘other half’ live in places near and far. but, it’s also a great tool for traveling.

i’m heading down to los angeles for a little holiday next week and i plan on checking out my instagram feed for new places to visit. i was thinking what better way to see the place i grew up through fresh eyes — yours!

clockwise, left to right: dabito; blue bottle via bonnietsang; pharmacie, via poketo; sqirl via bonnietsang; peddler’s creamery, via dabito; chinatown, via sfgirlbybay; the standard, via jengotch; designlovefest; and center, poketo.

so if you’re up for it, please tag your instagrams of LaLa Land for me using #SFGIRLINLA and i’ll be sure and check out your feed, and, you can win a $100 amazon gift card just for contributing. tag your favorite secret spots, cafes, bars, architecture, murals, spas, shops, beaches, hidden walkways — whatever you think i should see. i’d be much obliged for your recommendations in the comments below as well, and on instagram — you tag ‘em and i’ll visit ‘em! it’ll be fun. ready? set, go!

here’s what to do to contribute to #SFGIRLINLA, and enter the giveaway for an amazon $100 gift card to use any way you like:

• follow me on instagram.

• take instagram photos (the more the merrier) of los angeles and surrounding areas — cafes, coffee, favorite shops, anything special that makes the city unique.

• you can also tag an older photo you’ve taken if you have spots to share.

• tag your instagram photo #SFGIRLINLA and also tag the location #acehotel #santamonica #venice etc.

• add the location if you have ‘locations/maps’ turned on in your instagram preferences.

• extra entry for commenting below with your L.A. tips.

• enter by thursday, september 18th.

• i’ll direct message the winners on their instagram photo and then announce winners on my instagram and twitter accounts the week of september 22nd.

you in? alrighty then, let’s get instagramming and hashtagging!

San Vicente Bungalows, via laurejoliet.

ace hotel los angeles.